Loras Students Experience Unique Summer Internships

6/22/2012

The Loras College internship opportunities do not end in May. In fact, many students use the last few months to find time to meet with Faye Finnegan, Loras College's Internship Coordinator in the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL). According to Finnegan, "The CEL staff and faculty collaborate in teaching students how to find internships during their time at Loras. The philosophy is that they will need to know these skills to find full time employment the rest of their working life."

Experiences taking place this summer include:

Becky Suckow ('13) from West Des Moines, IA is a Sports Science major interning at MedX of Estes, where she is located at a physical therapy clinic and wellness center in Estes Park, Colorado. Her job responsibilities include working one-on-one with clients of the clinic, assisting the physical therapists in the clinic, working outside the clinic in a hospital setting while shadowing physical therapists, running the reception duties of the clinic, teaching a senior aerobics class, and completing assignments to fulfill the Sports Science major's requirements for a 3 credit internship. Suckow says, "From the social aspect of working with clients one-on-one to the academic side in knowing the intricate details of the muscles and the physiology of the body while trying to teach other people, I will be undergoing an intense lesson each moment. This experience not only excites me but humbles me because it will be a perfect challenge for me to take the next step toward my career goals."

Kevin Walsh ('13) from Kirkwood, MO has an internship with Rawlings Sporting Co. in St. Louis where he works in product development, primarily with baseballs and softballs. "In the first month, it has been kind of hectic but very fun. The first day I found out I was going with the company to work the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK." Walsh promoted the 2013 line products (bats, gloves, training tools), did interactive things with kids and also sold the products. "I was able to learn the softball line very well and got great sales experience. I think this will benefit me in the future because I have already had the opportunity to see many sides of the company. They truly do want my input and I feel that I have done well so far." Walsh was also able to meet up with Loras Alum, Pete Moris, who is the assistant athletic director of communications at Oklahoma University. Moris gave Walsh a tour of the football facility.

Jessica Yuska ('15) from Hudson, IA is working in the Chicago Bears Events and Entertainment Department. Her internship starts July 25th, but she has a good idea what will be expected of her already. According to Yuska,"My job is to make sure everything runs smoothly, the fans are happy, and to represent the NFL and the Chicago Bears in a professional and appropriate manner." Yuska is an Exercise/Sports Science major at Loras, but she believes working with the Events and Entertainment Staff will help her learn how to truly communicate with the public. "It will give me opportunities that will be outside of my comfort zone allowing me to broaden my horizons when I enter the work force," said Yuska.